I have changed Intel driver on my Acer Aspire One from 2012 with intel 2000 and LED screen to Standard VGA Adapter driver and stopped having eye strain from this laptop at all. Now it is clear, that driver is the problem for sure.
Welcome to LED Strain!
I wonder what it is about the driver that causes such issues. Is it temporal dithering? Is there a way to see temporal dithering in action?
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I'm Rob, 26, have had problems since I was 16.
Anything with an IPS screen gives me migraines be it from phones, tablets or computer monitors. I get some mild discomfort from PWM but not enough to stop me using a monitor. I suspect this might be to to do with Irlen syndrome mentioned above - most IPS panels have chevron'd pixels that forms shapes that would affect a person with Irlen syndrome, but I can't say with any certainty. TN panels are mostly fine, ccfl more than led.
I have some unknown problems with GPUs, I often struggle when monitors are plugged in via DVI, though sometimes its fine (perhaps due to cable quality, or GPU handling of DVI?). And on the whole seem better with low powered GPUs (Nothing above 8pin power connector has worked for me without causing some issues).
My problems have gotten dramatically worse recently, I've moved back in with my parents for a few months whilst I am waiting for a new accommodation. Since then I've been unable to use any computer/monitor combination without headaches. I suspect (and really hope) its something to do with an allergy to my parents dog, I'm hoping it will return to normal when I leave for my (dog free!) housing in september.
In the mean time I will be exploring what aspect of computers/monitors is causing current problems, perhaps whatever I learn will allow me to fine tune future computer/monitor setups. At the moment I can only think my problem is an increased sensitivity to dithering (at the monitor hardware level), as I am already using Benq BL2405HT: pwm free; low bluelight monitors.
Hello there. I'm a 36 year old male from North Carolina, USA, who started having rare photo sensitivity issues around age 14. My issues sound somewhat similar to some users, but honestly much different than most. The first time I noticed it was upon trying handheld LCD gaming devices like the Gameboy / VirtualBoy / Game Gear. I would experience headaches, migraines, confusion, become extremely sleepy, or become very angry / negative, lethargic, weak, nauseous, and sometimes vomit, eyes burning, throat hurting.. very strange responses. CRT televisions playing movies or TV shows never bothered me in the least. I tried a few LCD CCFL screens through the early 2000's and I reacted to most of them. I simply abstained from all forms of LCD technology growing up, using CRT monitors and TV's. In the 2010's I tried iPads, Galaxy Note tablets, AMOLED tablets, etc, all to no avail. In 2013 I tried an Alienware Desktop with an CCFL LCD monitor and still reacted poorly. However, I tired a cheap "Zalman" 24 inch TN panel LED in 2013, and found that I had no reaction to this monitor. For the first time in my life I could use modern technology. I found a few other TN panel screens that I was able to use, so I came to the conclusion that something in most TN panels reacted well with my condition. I found that when I would use any sort of IPS technology, and a few other technologies in TV's, monitors and laptops, I would react. I still react despite 0 PWM devices. I react to a FEW select TN panels. Right now I'm forced to use budget laptops such as the Asus X205ta, with zero reactions. I also use a CRT projection 720 tv's. I'm only beginning to learn about "dithering", and I still don't fully understand it or if it's a problem with me... but it's something I'm trying to incorporate into this long-term battle.
I will add that I am extremely disabled in my health. I have lesions / scarring on my brain, 24/7 visual migraines, severe Central Sleep apnea, and a lengthy list of rare diseases that I won't go into because of irrelevancy... but I mention my health to say that my journey may be different than others here... but I still hope we can learn from one another. Thanks guys.
I'm here for the same reason as the rest of us - mindboggling reactions to commonplace things.
Thanks for the laugh. I needed it.
JTL Haha, no problem man. Glad to know a place like this exists for common strugglers.
ThackeryBinks Definitely welcome here
In the 2010's I tried iPads, Galaxy Note tablets ....
If you ever find the time, making a list of hardware / models that worked and didn't work could be very useful to others
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Slacor
Didn't work:
iPad 1, 2, 3, (Haven't tried 4), Air 1, Mini 1, Mini 2, Mini 3. (Haven't Tried Mini 4 or Air 2, but guessing same results)
Galaxy Note 10.1. Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition.
Galaxy Note Pro. ( I react stronger to these devices than any other tablets).
Motorola Xoom tablet (Handled this tablet better than the others, but still no dice)
Dell Inspiron 7559 gaming laptop (IPS 1080 Display with Nvidia 960m)
Alienware 13R2 (TN Display with Anti-Glare coating & Nvidia 960m. This is the only TN panel to date that I react /severely/ to) (I react worse to this device than any other.)
BenQ RL2460HT Gaming Monitor. TN panel. (Reaction isn't terrible, but no dice)
Insignia 40" 1080p TV. NS-40D420NA16.
White Westinghouse 55" 1080p LED TV. LD-5580Z.
Samsung PN51F4500BFXZA 51" 600Hz plasma TV. Zero flicker noticed. I bought the 720p variant of this tv and the 1080p variant. No luck with either.
Epson H331A PowerLite Home Cinema 705HD LCD Projector.
Gameboy / PSP / Virtual Boy / Gameboy Advance / Nintendo DS XL / Nintendo 3DS / Game Gear / Sega Nomad
* ASUS PA248Q IPS 1200p monitor for photo editors. This IPS monitor affects me less than any other IPS monitor, no go though. PWM.
Did work:
Any CRT tube type television.
Any CRT projection television I've viewed so far.
ONE specific LED / LCD television by TCL. LE48FHDF3300ZTA is the model number. 240hz, 1080p. LED backlighting. I've looked for years with no success on finding any information on the panel technology. (I find as my condition progresses, I react more to this TV. But it's lightyears better than any other lcd type for myself.)
Zalman MZ240ED 24" LED 1080p DVI monitor with a TN panel.
Asus x205ta Laptop. 768p, TN panel. Atom core budget laptop.
A few older laptops with TN LED panels, unable to obtain model numbers.
HP Dv6-1334-US Laptop from 2009-ish TN panel / LED.
ASUS VE278H 27" 1080p TN Panel GTG monitor (Partial reactions, but not terrible)
* Live theatre
(I haven't found many devices that are non-reactive unfortunately.
I have a Canon DSLR for PWM testing. Still reactive in the absence of PWM however.
So far with myself the only thing I can gather is safe is TN panel technologies, and not /all/ of them. As the condition progresses, some TN panels become more difficult as well.)
Sorry this is so long, I've been at this for many years... didn't know anyone else had problems likewise
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This is actually quite similar to me, a common factor I've found is that all the screens I can't use utilise polarised light. TN also does, but for me (and you it seems) some of them are ok.
EDIT: scratch the bit about plasmas, just seen they are a no go for you.
You might find the onyx book ereader android tablets useful. They use e-ink screens, which prevents using them for video, and can make web browsing tricky - but are great for anything primarily text based and about as eye friendly as it gets. I'm thinking of getting one to use for word processing (I'm a student). They are very pricey though for what they are.
Might also be worth waiting around for amazon to release an electrowetting kindle/tablet. Its a new technology so can't say how eye friendly it will be, its in the same vein as e-ink but has good enough colour/refresh rates to display video. It doesn't use polarising filters, and doesn't need a backlight to work - so its a good bet it'll be easier on the eyes than lcd/amoled tablets.
Man, one thing seems certain. Although many of us have the same symptoms, it seems like the causes are all over the place! Everybody is different...
I just ordered a pair of TheraSpecs Over RX on Thursday night that utilize the FL-41 tint. We'll see how that goes. Normal yellow-tints like Gunnars don't seem to do the trick for me.
I still think my issue in particular is due to the light source. 0% brightness and f.lux set to 5000K equals symptoms way down on my Dell U2410.
The majority of e-ink tablets don't have backlights - is that what you meant?
It was rumored to be released this xmas, but Amazon has been awfully quiet. It does appear to be genuinely in the works though as Amazon is currently advertising to hire 'engineers with product mass manufacturing experience' at liquivista (owned by Amazon), the place that makes electrowetting displays.
JTL for some reason I have no problems with Nexus 5 screen, but my eyes hurt from Huawei Honor 6 plus which I currently use. I installed blue-light protection glass and it feels more comfortable to look at the screen. However, for watching movies long time I still put Jins glasses. Only like this my eyes are ok with that phone.